Evan Silva

Offseason Low Down

The 2011 Wide Receiver Market

Scouting Report: Arguably the greatest deep threat in NFL history from 1998 to '09, Moss' game fell apart last year. Perhaps the writing was on the wall at the end of the season before. Moss failed to top 75 yards in any of his final eight games in 2009, and only once exceeded 60 last year. While Moss still commanded double teams to open the 2010 campaign, he struggled to separate and was weeded out of the Patriots' offense by Tom Brady before his October 6 trade to Minnesota. A bad attitude resulted in Moss' release less than a month later. Moss finished the season in Tennessee, playing 19.8 percent of the Titans' offensive snaps in the final four games.

Availability: Titans GM Mike Reinfeldt has confirmed that Moss won't be back, and speculation of a return to New England has been shot down by Patriots beat writers. The Jets are rumored to have some interest in Moss. At this point, he's essentially in the same boat as T.O. but has shown less than Owens recently. It's just hard to say if Moss has any believers left. Another fairly logical match could be St. Louis, where old OC Josh McDaniels is now running the offense.

Scouting Report: Acquired in September for "late-round considerations," Clayton immediately earned a starting job on the Rams and amassed a team-high 306 yards on 23 grabs through four games before tearing his patellar tendon in the first quarter of Week 5. According to his agent, Clayton is now fully recovered. Major knee injuries are always major concerns for NFL receivers, however, and Clayton already possessed average explosiveness for a 5-foot-10, 195-pound wideout. The 22nd overall pick in the 2005 draft, Clayton's career has ultimately been a disappointment. He lacks special qualities and is more possession/slot receiver than deep threat.

Availability: The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported in March that Clayton's return to the Rams is "all but a slam-dunk." Most teams will balk at Clayton because of the knee and his lack of dominant pre-injury talent. Clayton, turning 29 before the season, had better hope St. Louis' interest remains strong after the team used two middle-round picks on wide receivers.

Scouting Report: Burress began a two-year sentence for felony gun possession in September 2009 and will be released on June 6 for good behavior. After so much prison time at age 34, there's no way to tell what he has left. In his prime, Burress was a physical, 6-foot-5, 232-pound red-zone monster with 27 TDs in his last 42 starts. Lacking quickness and homerun deep speed, Plax atoned with exceptional use of his body to shield defensive backs and get open. He was a pure "hands catcher" with massive mitts and long arms. Criticisms usually referred to his lackadaisical on-field effort and commitment level. Plax has never been a coaching staff favorite.

Availability: The Giants cut Plax five months before his 2009 sentencing, so he will return to the NFL market as an unrestricted free agent. The league's suspension lasted only as long as Burress was behind bars. The Jets were most heavily linked to Plax when it still seemed possible he'd play football in 2009. Other teams connected to him were Tampa Bay and Chicago.

Scouting Report: More talk than walk at this stage of his career, Houshmandzadeh complained his way through a 2010 season that saw him post personal lows across the board since 2003. He repeatedly requested more snaps and targets, but didn't earn it with performance. Housh lacks playmaking ability and run-after-catch skills, and dropped six of his 58 targets as a Raven. Now entering his age-34 season, Houshmandzadeh is only going to get worse. With a reputation as a locker-room lawyer, he'll find slim pickings on the unrestricted free agent market.

Availability: Housh reversed course after the end of Baltimore's season and said he'd like to re-sign. But the Ravens made a pointed effort to get faster at the position, drafting Torrey Smith in round two and Tandon Doss in the fourth. Doss can do everything Housh did as a slot receiver and third-down threat. Housh may have to settle for a minimum contract in-season.

Scouting Report: Holmes has been pigeonholed by some as a one-trick pony deep threat, the role he played opposite Hines Ward in Pittsburgh. In reality, Holmes is one of the better "YAC" wideouts in football in addition to a homerun hitter. The 27-year-old has averaged 15.96 yards a catch with 26 touchdowns in 58 career starts, also showing a knack for making big plays in key moments. Holmes is capable of playing all three receiver positions, although he's spent most of his time at split end. When he's 100 percent, there aren't ten better receivers in the game.

Availability: The Jets assigned Holmes a first- and third-round restricted tender, and declared re-signing him their top offseason priority. Holmes said publicly that he won't play for the one-year tag, but New York wants to lock him up long term anyway. The sides should be able to strike an agreement, though it may cost the Jets one or two of their other big-ticket free agents.

Scouting Report: Much is made of Edwards' penchant for drops, but few receivers separate downfield consistently enough to be in position for such mammoth vertical strikes. He posted a career-best 17.06 yards per catch average last season, and seven touchdowns were Edwards' most since 2007. He dropped just four passes all year, though two occurred on Week 13 Monday Night Football for the world to see. Edwards is not a physical wideout and can be penalty prone. He is a difference-making, game-breaking vertical threat with dominant natural ability.

Availability: Edwards has six accrued years and is assured of hitting unrestricted free agency. His market could be monstrous if four- and five-year free agents like Sidney Rice and Santonio Holmes are restricted. Edwards has indicated that he's willing to consider a hometown discount to stay with the Jets, although Holmes is GM Mike Tannenbaum's priority. We suspect Edwards will resurface elsewhere, capitalizing on his last chance for a blockbuster deal at age 28.

Scouting Report: Moss is 32, but provided reason to think he has two or three big years left by changing his game under Mike Shanahan. Used in the slot more than ever, Moss responded with a career-high 93 catches and the second best yardage total of his career. Moss can still get deep, and he'll enter free agency having shown impressive versatility. Though no longer a No. 1 receiver in the truest sense, Moss can play in any offense and is highly elusive in the open field. He is a "character guy" and has missed just two games in the last four seasons.

Availability: Moss' contract has voided, though his preference is to stay in D.C. The Skins drafted three wideouts, which suggests they're prepared to move on. Due to his age and lack of recent playoff appearances, Moss may be willing to take less to play for a contender. He'll be a quality locker-room addition, and unlike Steve Smith won't cost draft pick compensation.

Scouting Report: T.O. is going on 38, an age at which most receivers have already fallen "off the cliff." Owens has held off Father Time with incredible work ethic, although a torn left meniscus suffered in Week 15 could spell the beginning of the end. Still dominant against single teams, Owens capitalized as Chad Ochocinco garnered the majority of defensive attention with the Bengals last season. T.O. had surgery on December 20, and if it gets him back to the form he showed last year, he has plenty of on-field value left. The off-field stuff will keep his market soft.

Availability: Owens, who played on a one-year deal in Cincinnati, hopes to play two more in the NFL. He's publicly expressed interest in the Jets. The good news is that Owens will come as cheaply as ever. The bad news is few teams will deem him worth the risk. We suspect he won't sign anywhere until late in camp. If there is no camp, he may not sign until after Week 1.

Scouting Report: A major disappointment in Jacksonville last year, Sims-Walker developed a diva reputation despite lacking the resume to justify it. The 26-year-old was billed as a complainer and off-field character risk who's also prone to injury. Since missing his entire first season due to the aftereffects of a college ACL tear, Sims-Walker has yet to play a 16-game season. That said, when motivated and healthy MSW has shown playmaking ability. He's caught 14 touchdown passes in his last 27 starts and averaged 13.51 yards per reception in his career.

Availability: The Jags washed their hands of Sims-Walker by failing to extend the former third-round pick a restricted free agent tender in February. Loose reports have connected him to the Rams and Texans. Ideally, a team would sign Sims-Walker to a one-year, "prove-it" contract that he could parlay into a multi-year commitment after proving his health and maturity.

Scouting Report: Arguably the greatest deep threat in NFL history from 1998 to '09, Moss' game fell apart last year. Perhaps the writing was on the wall at the end of the season before. Moss failed to top 75 yards in any of his final eight games in 2009, and only once exceeded 60 last year. While Moss still commanded double teams to open the 2010 campaign, he struggled to separate and was weeded out of the Patriots' offense by Tom Brady before his October 6 trade to Minnesota. A bad attitude resulted in Moss' release less than a month later. Moss finished the season in Tennessee, playing 19.8 percent of the Titans' offensive snaps in the final four games.

Availability: Titans GM Mike Reinfeldt has confirmed that Moss won't be back, and speculation of a return to New England has been shot down by Patriots beat writers. The Jets are rumored to have some interest in Moss. At this point, he's essentially in the same boat as T.O. but has shown less than Owens recently. It's just hard to say if Moss has any believers left. Another fairly logical match could be St. Louis, where old OC Josh McDaniels is now running the offense.

Scouting Report: Acquired in September for "late-round considerations," Clayton immediately earned a starting job on the Rams and amassed a team-high 306 yards on 23 grabs through four games before tearing his patellar tendon in the first quarter of Week 5. According to his agent, Clayton is now fully recovered. Major knee injuries are always major concerns for NFL receivers, however, and Clayton already possessed average explosiveness for a 5-foot-10, 195-pound wideout. The 22nd overall pick in the 2005 draft, Clayton's career has ultimately been a disappointment. He lacks special qualities and is more possession/slot receiver than deep threat.

Availability: The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported in March that Clayton's return to the Rams is "all but a slam-dunk." Most teams will balk at Clayton because of the knee and his lack of dominant pre-injury talent. Clayton, turning 29 before the season, had better hope St. Louis' interest remains strong after the team used two middle-round picks on wide receivers.

Scouting Report: Burress began a two-year sentence for felony gun possession in September 2009 and will be released on June 6 for good behavior. After so much prison time at age 34, there's no way to tell what he has left. In his prime, Burress was a physical, 6-foot-5, 232-pound red-zone monster with 27 TDs in his last 42 starts. Lacking quickness and homerun deep speed, Plax atoned with exceptional use of his body to shield defensive backs and get open. He was a pure "hands catcher" with massive mitts and long arms. Criticisms usually referred to his lackadaisical on-field effort and commitment level. Plax has never been a coaching staff favorite.

Availability: The Giants cut Plax five months before his 2009 sentencing, so he will return to the NFL market as an unrestricted free agent. The league's suspension lasted only as long as Burress was behind bars. The Jets were most heavily linked to Plax when it still seemed possible he'd play football in 2009. Other teams connected to him were Tampa Bay and Chicago.

Scouting Report: More talk than walk at this stage of his career, Houshmandzadeh complained his way through a 2010 season that saw him post personal lows across the board since 2003. He repeatedly requested more snaps and targets, but didn't earn it with performance. Housh lacks playmaking ability and run-after-catch skills, and dropped six of his 58 targets as a Raven. Now entering his age-34 season, Houshmandzadeh is only going to get worse. With a reputation as a locker-room lawyer, he'll find slim pickings on the unrestricted free agent market.

Availability: Housh reversed course after the end of Baltimore's season and said he'd like to re-sign. But the Ravens made a pointed effort to get faster at the position, drafting Torrey Smith in round two and Tandon Doss in the fourth. Doss can do everything Housh did as a slot receiver and third-down threat. Housh may have to settle for a minimum contract in-season.

Scouting Report: Holmes has been pigeonholed by some as a one-trick pony deep threat, the role he played opposite Hines Ward in Pittsburgh. In reality, Holmes is one of the better "YAC" wideouts in football in addition to a homerun hitter. The 27-year-old has averaged 15.96 yards a catch with 26 touchdowns in 58 career starts, also showing a knack for making big plays in key moments. Holmes is capable of playing all three receiver positions, although he's spent most of his time at split end. When he's 100 percent, there aren't ten better receivers in the game.

Availability: The Jets assigned Holmes a first- and third-round restricted tender, and declared re-signing him their top offseason priority. Holmes said publicly that he won't play for the one-year tag, but New York wants to lock him up long term anyway. The sides should be able to strike an agreement, though it may cost the Jets one or two of their other big-ticket free agents.

Scouting Report: Rice has a rare makeup at 6-foot-4, 202 with incredible ball skills, a massive catch radius, and the ability to take over a game. According to Pro Football Focus, Rice has dropped just five of his 212 targets over the past three seasons. Only 24 years old, Rice's arrow is pointing skyward, assuming he can overcome the injury bug. Rice was dogged by a bum hamstring and high ankle sprain as a rookie, a right PCL sprain in 2008, major hip surgery in 2010, and a concussion to close out last season. He was particularly slow to recover from the knee and hip injuries. Still, this is a true "No. 1 receiver" with 18 touchdowns in 26 career starts.

Availability: The Vikings offered Rice a multi-year deal in February. The proposal was rejected, so the team countered with a first-round tender. Rice still hopes to test unrestricted free agency as a four-year vet, and in April Pro Football Weekly reported that the Rams had interest. The Vikings hold his rights, however, and have no intentions of letting Rice get away.

Scouting Report: Jones is a physical receiver with elite run-after-catch skills, just a notch below Brandon Marshall and Anquan Boldin as a tackle breaker. He also accelerates well enough to beat defensive backs downfield. At 6-foot-1, 218, Jones is a prototypical flanker in a West Coast offense, but a penchant for back-breaking drops has been his downfall in the pros. Jones has 17 drops over the past two years, and his last two would've gone for long touchdowns in the playoffs. The miscues could be partially related to Jones' focus during inconsistent playing time. He's been a rotational player in Green Bay, only playing around 55 percent of the snaps.

Availability: Jones, 27, was extended an original pick tender in February, but the Packers went on to use the 64th pick on Randall Cobb. Donald Driver is expected back behind Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson. Brett Swain also figures into the mix. The Packers may balk at paying Jones roughly $2 million to be a backup, and instead rescind the tender. As a free agent, Jones could draw significant interest from ex-Packers personnel man John Schneider in Seattle.

Scouting Report: Viewed as a kick return-only prospect out of Michigan, Breaston exceeded expectations enough for the Cardinals to eventually deem Anquan Boldin expendable. Breaston has delivered three straight 700-plus yard seasons, though the team grew tired of his achy right knee down the stretch of 2010. Breaston has battled the same bad knee since 2009. He had surgery on the joint last September, and fell behind rookie Andre Roberts on the depth chart after experiencing late-season swelling. Breaston can run, but is a poor blocker and dropped eight of his 82 targets last season. We haven't seen annual growth from the 27-year-old (28 in August).

Availability: The Cardinals assigned a first-round restricted tender to Breaston, protecting themselves in case 2010 labor rules continue into 2011. He won't be an unrestricted free agent barring a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Our assumption for now is that the tender will stand, and Breaston will play the 2011 season in Arizona for roughly $2.5 million.

Scouting Report: Floyd is a long-armed, big-bodied receiver at 6-foot-5, 225. He's been used as a deep threat in San Diego's vertical scheme, averaging 17.96 yards per catch over the past three seasons. Floyd has reliable hands and is essentially a poor man's Vincent Jackson. Playing alongside V-Jax and Antonio Gates throughout his career, however, Floyd has never dealt with double-team coverage and blocks poorly for his size. He is merely a complementary wideout with a career high of 45 catches. Floyd was a late bloomer and turns 30 before the season.

Availability: Floyd received a first- and third-round tender after playing last season on a one-year, $3.168 million deal. The Chargers could rescind the tender if they acquire Steve Smith from Carolina, as is rumored. Floyd is more replaceable part than indispensable talent, but he could find a home with the Panthers based on his background with new OC Rob Chudzinski.

Scouting Report: Smith's December microfracture surgery is the biggest blow to his stock. Already short on deep speed, Smith's game relies on quickness and a knack for finding soft spots in zone defenses. It's believed he may open the year on PUP, costing him the first six games. On the bright side, Smith's age (26) gives him better odds of healing fully. At 100 percent, Smith is a savvy route runner who operates primarily in the slot, and on underneath routes when positioned at flanker. He has reliable hands, but averages just 10.85 yards per catch in his career.

Availability: Smith's major knee surgery will make him unattractive to other teams, and there are indications the Giants have prepared for life without him. They used the 83rd overall pick on slot receiver Jerrel Jernigan, and extended Smith an original pick tender when the rest of their restricted free agents got more expensive tags. Giants GM Jerry Reese also balked at signing Smith to the long-term deal he requested. No team will aggressively pursue this player.

Scouting Report: A double team-commanding All Pro in his prime, Smith has battled nagging injuries and atrocious QB play over the last two seasons. His yards-per-catch average is down three years running, and Smith has started 16 games just once in his career. Injuries and declining production are red flags for any 32-year-old, though there is reason to believe Smith has been more affected by his situation than physical letdown. He continued to show explosive ability when working from the slot last year, and was a scoring machine with Matt Moore leading the Carolina offense in 2009. There is risk here, but a potentially big-time reward.

Availability: Smith has requested a trade -- even if he won't say so explicitly -- and leaked to the media his preference to play for the Ravens or Chargers. One obstacle could be his contract, set to pay Smith $14.75 million over the next two years. It's possible he'll be willing to restructure to play for a contender. New England is also a rumored landing spot, but aggressive San Diego GM A.J. Smith has confirmed interest and the offense to fit Smith's skills nicely.

Scouting Report: Evans appeared to be emerging as one of the NFL's top deep threats from 2004 to 2008, averaging 16.03 yards per catch with 32 touchdowns in 73 starts. He's followed up with back-to-back career lows in receptions and yards, while being unseated as Buffalo's No. 1 receiver by Steve Johnson. Now 30 years old, Evans remains a relatively efficient pass catcher, but his explosiveness seems to be waning. The Bills have also installed a shotgun-heavy, short-passing based offense to suit weak-armed quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. In turn, the scheme doesn't play to Evans' strengths as a field-stretching vertical wideout.

Availability: Evans is due a $1.5 million bonus on the fifth day of the league year, which begins after the lockout. That bonus would be followed by a $3.275 million salary. While the Bills' decision to pass on A.J. Green in the draft indicates they are counting on another year of Evans, they may be all ears when trading is allowed. Second-year wideouts David Nelson, Donald Jones, Naaman Roosevelt, and Marcus Easley all have promise and warrant more playing time.

Scouting Report: Williams maxed out his talent under Mike Martz in '06 -- his lone Pro Bowl season -- and it's been downhill from there. Though he routinely draws rave reviews in practice, Williams seems to have packed it in when the bullets fly since signing a six-year, $54 million contract in 2008. Prone to drops and fumbles, Williams has struggled to get open against single teams while feuding with the coaching staff. It's well known in Dallas that new coach Jason Garrett is not one of Williams' proponents. Entering his age-30 campaign, Williams is due a $5.11 million salary in 2011. He lost his starting job to rookie Dez Bryant down last season's stretch.

Availability: Williams is also said to be due a roster bonus that brings his total would-be 2011 compensation to $9.25 million. A third receiver now, it's difficult to imagine him returning without a drastic pay cut. Williams' connections throughout the league include Martz in Chicago and Wade Phillips in Houston. He'd essentially be a rehab project in another locale.

Scouting Report: In Ochocinco's defense, he spent the vast majority of last season doubled up while T.O. preyed on single coverage on the opposite side. Clearly unable to separate from loaded defenses, however, Ocho's production hit rock bottom as he refused to go across the middle on crossing routes to avoid the double teams. He feuded openly with Marvin Lewis after the season, and multiple reports insist Ochocinco has "lost his nerve and work ethic," and even "gone off the deep end." He is an aging, declining athlete with a questionable will to win. Once a speed receiver, Ocho has averaged just 12.54 yards per reception in his last 42 games.

Availability: Cincinnati turned the page on Ochocinco by drafting A.J. Green, and the 33-year-old career Bengal will be cut once transactions are allowed. Ocho won't have a big market, but there are multiple connectable teams. Redskins owner Dan Snyder wanted Ocho desperately two years ago, and still has a veteran receiver need. Ocho's old position coach, Hue Jackson, is now the head man in Oakland. He and Bill Belichick are mutual admirers. New Falcons quarterbacks coach Bob Bratkowski was Ochocinco's offensive coordinator in Cincinnati.

Scouting Report: Temporarily rejuvenated after being claimed off waivers from San Diego in October 2009, Chambers seemed to call it a career last year. He was handed a three-year, $15 million contract in March, failed to get open despite much more defensive attention paid to bookend Dwayne Bowe, and was benched after Kansas City's Week 4 bye in favor of rotating undrafted rookies. Chambers had some big-play ability in his prime, but his hands have long been suspect and he's now 33 years old. He averaged 9.68 yards per reception last season.

Availability: The Chiefs used their first-round pick on Jonathan Baldwin, who will be the new starter opposite Bowe. Chambers definitely won't return at his $2.9 million salary. He has background with Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and Ravens OC Cam Cameron, but neither will rush to sign a declining wideout after both upgraded their receiver corps in the draft.

Prediction: Released, signs with team that suffers injuries at receiver.

Scouting Report: Driver's legacy in Green Bay may the only factor keeping him afloat. After dual knee surgeries in the 2010 offseason, Driver was rarely able to practice during the year and his big-play ability was mitigated en route to a career-low 11.1 yards per catch and his worst post-reception average since 2004. This was despite the Packers making an honest effort to scale back Driver's snaps and use him almost strictly in the slot. Driver is now 36, so the arrow is pointing downward. He's also surrounded by much younger, more explosive receivers.

Availability: We suspect Driver is safe for one more season, but the Packers could easily afford to release him this year. He's due $5 million in 2011 salary and bonuses, and No. 64 overall pick Randall Cobb will be ready to handle slot receiver duties sooner rather than later. Green Bay may ultimately have to decide between keeping Driver or free agent James Jones.

Scouting Report: Berrian signed a six-year, $43.4 million blockbuster with the Vikes in 2008, delivered a career-best 964-yard first season, and has all but fallen off the map since. He was plagued by hamstring problems throughout 2009, and in 2010 became one of the least effective receivers in football. A deep threat once upon a time, the 30-year-old Berrian is averaging 10.48 yards per reception across his last 30 appearances. He adds nothing as a blocker, lacks any hint of physicality in his game, and is due a $3.9 million salary for the 2011 season.

Availability: ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Berrian was in danger of being released in March. The Vikings intend to sign Sidney Rice long term, and he has supplanted Berrian atop the depth chart along with Percy Harvin. Berrian will resurface elsewhere, perhaps with old OC Darrell Bevell in Seattle or wide receivers coach Ron Turner in Indianapolis.